Living in a city with a continual traffic problem can be a pain in the neck, or we can use that stuck-in-traffic time as constructively as possible.  It would be fantastic to have a personal chauffeur so we could sit with our laptops and cell phones and make bundles of cash while he slowly creeps around the city, but let’s be realistic here.  So, after giving this some thought, I came up with the following 5 things to do while stuck in traffic.

1. Plan your next blog – blogging has become the thing to do and apart from it being therapeutic, it can become a way of earning an income over time.  While inching forward at a snail’s pace, put your mind into top gear.  Look around for ideas.  People in other vehicles, billboards, news headlines, talks on the radio are all inspiration.  Once inspired, begin to speak out your blog.  The problem is how to remember it later.  Well, I have a solution for that too – only because I practice this myself.  Have either a notepad and pen in the car or a dictaphone.  Many of our mobile phones already have a recording device, so just use that.  When the traffic is really slow, it is very easy to jot down keywords.
2. Catch up on your outstanding phone calls – obviously, you need a hands free kit for this or you will be breaking the law.  However, what better use of time than to go through your voicemails and return the calls.  Before you know it, you will be out of the traffic.  In really slow traffic, I have even returned texts that I had not got around to yet.
3. Sing – I am absolutely convinced that singing is good for your soul.  Apart from shower time, and the odd Karoake evening, when can we give in to our inner rock star and belt it out?  Well, in the traffic, you have oodles of time to find the best music on your ipod or CD player and join in with gusto.  If you feel embarrassed about the other commuters giving you odd looks, then put your hands free kit on – the one with a microphone near your mouth – and they will think that you are talking enthusiastically to someone on the phone.
4. Think things through - we live in such a busy, instant society that we generally do not have times to think things through.  We so often have to make instant decisions.  I find that traffic time is a great time to let my mind wander, to dream and to mull things over.  It is time we can use to re-evaluate and plan.  To rethink some of our instant decisions.
5. Catch your breathe – this is similar to the previous thought, yet it has a more spiritual depth to it.  Almost every religion has some form of meditation.  A time of clearing your mind of clutter and filling it with wholesomeness.  Instead of building anger and frustration, use the traffic time to relax, to breathe slowly, to focus on the good things in your life.  Who knows, in your peaceful state of serenity, you may even influence those around you who are irritated, hot and bothered.

Oh, one more fun activity to do while stuck in traffic – look at those around you and smile at them.  It is amazing that they always smile back.  Enjoy your next traffic jam!